Benjamin's mouth hung open, his glasses sliding further down his nose as he stared at me. The parking garage seemed to grow smaller and more silent as the seconds ticked by.
"You're... Dr. Emma Bella?" he finally managed, voice barely above a whisper. "THE Dr. Emma Bella?"
I nodded once, watching emotions flash across his face like a slideshow—shock, disbelief, horror, and finally, mortification.
"Oh my god." His complexion went from normal to ghostly white in seconds. "I just offered my boss an entry-level position."
"To be fair, you were trying to help," I said, unable to suppress a small smile. "Though I'm not actually in need of employment."
Benjamin's hand shot to his hair, tugging at it nervously. "I can't believe this. I'm so sorry, Dr. Bella—I mean, Juliana—I mean—"
"Relax, Benjamin. You can call me Juliana here." I checked my watch. "Are you headed to the reunion?"
He nodded mutely, still processing what had just happened.
